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MEMBERS MATTER NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2024
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Happy holidays to you and your family! Taking the time to embrace our loved ones and enjoy family traditions will help us get ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming legislative sessions and continue our support of our mission to assure our rights are preserved.
I want to spotlight the commitment, energy, and generosity of the members who have supported our work throughout the year. The impact of this work cannot be understated. Through collaboration with other local Leagues we helped countless voters be better prepared to vote with confidence and a clear understanding of the complicated ballot. As a result, we were able to support the passage of Proposition 139 to establish a fundamental right to abortion in the State Constitution. In addition, our efforts helped to defeat measures that would have adversely impacted the rights of voters to place issues on future ballots.
Since the election I’ve had colleagues and friends ask “I want to get involved – what can I do?” My advice is to join the League so you can stay informed and connected with like-minded members of your community.
We are moving into 2025 with renewed attention to the upcoming legislative session. The LWVAZ Legislative Week activities are an excellent opportunity to participate in virtual learning sessions and meet with legislators.
The LWVMP Housing Study Team is pleased to announce that on January 29 we will be hosting a virtual presentation by Shane Phillips on Strategies for Affordable Housing. Shane is a nationally recognized expert in strategies to develop sustainable and affordable communities and will be doing a deep dive into those strategies for our state. Please join in!
February 15 is the date of our annual in-person “All Member Meeting”. Come and meet members of the board and explore the various ways to get involved in League activities. It is only two hours and free to all, so bring friends and/or family members who are interested in learning more about the League!
I wish you peaceful and relaxing holidays filled with good cheer.
In League Service,
Marcia Barry, President
LWV Metro Phoenix
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Save these dates!
Click on the links to register...
Sunday, Dec 15, 2-4 pm: LWVAZ Advocacy Workshop - Introduction to Legislative Analysis and the 2025 Legislative Session This workshop will equip you with the tools and knowledge to navigate the 2025 Arizona Legislative Session effectively. Learn how to analyze bills, understand the legislative process, and take the next steps to become a confident and impactful advocate for democracy. Members only. Please Register in Advance at the LWV of Arizona Website - www.lwvaz.org.
Wednesday, Dec 18, 12:00-1:30 pm: LWVAZ Advocacy Workshop - Intro to Request to Speak Make Your Voice Heard Arizona is unique in offering its citizens a platform to directly support or oppose legislation during the legislative session. Learn how to navigate this system effectively and make your voice count in shaping the laws that impact our state. Please Register in Advance at the LWV of Arizona Website - www.lwvaz.org.
Monday, Jan 20, 8:45 am: PLEASE show solidarity and join us at the Martin Luther King March! The March is about two miles, beginning at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (near the 12th St Light Rail stop) and culminates with a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park. Members and non-members welcome in this important time of unity and support. Link to register: Martin Luther King March
Wednesday, Jan 29, 6:00-7:30 pm: LWVMP Housing Study Committee is hosting a virtual forum on Arizona’s Affordable Housing Crisis, with guest speaker, Shane Phillips, author of The Affordable City. Reserve your place to learn about strategies to put housing within reach. He will discuss housing supply and ways to make communities more affordable in the metro area. Guests are welcome.RSVP here |  | |
Voter Services Opportunities
As we start the new year, we are looking for Tabling Captains for some of the larger festivals. Before we can commit to the events, we need to have leaders identified. You will be fully supported, there are checklists, and most of the needed equipment can fit into a rolling case or wagon. We will also be providing training for tabling at the Voter Services Committee meeting, Tuesday, Jan 14, 4:30 pm. Register Voter Services Jan 2025 MTG
Our first large festival is the Martin Luther King Festival (Margaret T. Hance Park, Monday, January 20, 2025, 8 am - 4:30 pm). We need two tabling captains, one for set up and another for tear down; however, if you are willing, one person can volunteer for both. To volunteer go to: MLK Festival Tabling CPT or email us at: voterslwvmp@gmail.com. Deadline is Dec 31, 2024.
We are also seeking Tabling Captains for the Willo Neighborhood Street Fair 2025, February 16. This is a great opportunity to engage with voters and introduce people to the League of Women Voters. At the event there is live music, arts and crafts, and excellent food trucks along with the home tours. Link to volunteer: WilloStreetFair Tabling CPTs. Deadline January 15, 2025. |  | |
Virtual Forum on Housing
The Housing Study Committee of LWVMP is presenting its third Virtual Forum about how we can address the affordable housing crisis currently affecting low- and middle-income people in Arizona. This forum will focus on presenting best practice policies that are available and can be used to create affordable housing in our state. Our target audience is, first of all, our members to provide them background for developing a public policy position based on the work of LWVMP’s Housing Study Committee. Additionally, our target audience will include members of the broader community–to share with other Arizona leagues, housing advocates, planners, and practitioners good policy for creating affordable housing.
According to Shane Phillips, guest speaker at our January forum, we’re not building as much housing as we did in the 1960’s when we had 12 million fewer people. He says that scarcity has caught up with us.
Phillips argues that there is no single solution to the U.S. housing crisis. For cities to effectively tackle high housing costs and household instability, they will need to support both tenant protections and housing abundance. An expert in housing policy, Phillips believes a comprehensive approach backed by strong, diverse coalitions will be required to take this on.
In his book The Affordable City, Phillips offers more than 50 policy recommendations, beginning with a set of principles and general recommendations that should apply to all housing policy. The remaining recommendations are organized by what he calls the Three S’s of Supply, Stability, and Subsidy. Phillips makes a moral and economic case for why each is essential and recommendations for making them work together.
During this forum, Phillips will review the core principles of the housing crisis, his Three S’s approach, and what lessons he has learned since his book was originally published in 2020.
Date: January 29, 6-7:30 pm RSVP here. | |
Growing our Membership and League Power
Please join us in welcoming 13 New League Members who joined in the month of November: Shannon Chavez, Glenda Darnall, Flo Eckstein, Nan Friend, Paula Gibson, Sheri Jones, Von King, Jaime Kite, Zoe Minnesota, Kim Patridge, Allison Pela, Gabriella Ramirez, and Gail Willmore.
And, thank you to all seven Renewing Members: Susan Hillabold, Carol Lanzotti, Tracey Locke, Cheryl McCutcheon, Cricket Mitchell, Cindy Walsh, and James Zaleschuk.
Engagement Highlights
Looking for ways to get involved? Contact the following people for more information on joining their committee: Mark Giles, Advocacy Chair; Kara Pelletier, Voter Services Co-Chair; Gretchen Bolerjack Voter Services Co-Chair.
Help us grow our League power by inviting friends, neighbors, and democracy allies to Join the League today! | It’s Easy to Donate through Fry’s Community Rewards!
Fry’s Community Rewards makes donating to the LWVAZ Ed Fund easy. Points are accumulated based on the shopping you do at Fry’s Foods, one point for every dollar spent. Once you link your Fry’s Shopper Card to LWVAZ Ed Fund, all you do is swipe your Fry’s Shopper Card at check-out!
Here is how to add the League of Women Voters of Arizona Education Fund to your Fry’s Shopper Card.
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Sign in to your Fry’s account at www.frysfood.com
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Go to Community Rewards www.frysfood.com/account/communityrewards to search for League of Women Voters of Arizona Education Fund
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Enter the name of the League or NPO number (UK303).
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Select the League of Women Voters of Arizona Education Fund from the list and click “Save.”
The League of Women Voters of Arizona Education Fund will now display in the Community Rewards section of your account. You can always find these reward point details under your Fry’s Account details.
Any purchases using your Fry’s Shopper Card will be applied to the program at no cost to you. Fry’s donations are paid quarterly to the League, based on the total points accumulated for LWVAZ. Remember to present your Shopper’s Card at the check-out register in order for your purchase to contribute toward the program. Get started today! | |
Advocacy Update
LWVMP will be a major contributor to supporting the statewide advocacy priorities. From January through June we will be focused on legislative work both at the state and nationally. Want help getting engaged, setting up the League in Action app or any of the tools we use, or have advocacy feedback? Contact Mark Giles at AdvocacyLWVMP@gmail.com
Take Action Now:
Volunteers Needed - We need volunteers (minimum of four) to help set up new RTS accounts! This involves visiting the State Capitol to open accounts at designated terminals. The process is simple, and all information will be provided. Volunteers will coordinate weekly visits through February, and then periodically after. This is a service we provide our members and the community. Contact lwvazadvocacy@gmail.com if you are willing to assist.
Advocating Readiness:
Be sure to sign up for training organized by the State, so you can lend your individual voice to the work the league does to advocate on issues of priority.
Your advocacy Checklist for 2025
- Verify your RTS account, don't have one read below on how to get one.
- Help shape League response to legislation. Attend training on Legislative Analysis
- Would like to volunteer as a league lobbyist - contact lwvazadvocacy@gmail.com
- Make sure you get involved in organizing and attending Legislative week activities from February 17-21.
- Attend Advocacy committee meetings to get the latest information on league actions
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State Advocacy and Action Preparing for 2025: A Basic Toolbox
During the 2025 legislative session, LWVAZ will be fully engaged in reviewing key bills and advocating for our priorities. We need your active participation to ensure we have the most substantial possible impact. Here’s how you can stay informed and take meaningful action:
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Read Our Weekly Newsletter: Commit to reviewing our Advocacy and Action Newsletter each week during the legislative session. It will keep you updated on pressing issues, upcoming votes, and strategic steps you can take.
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Connect on Social Media: Follow LWVAZ on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We consistently share timely calls to action, breaking legislative news and valuable insights to help you respond quickly and effectively.
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Sign Up for Text Alerts: Opt into the League in Action tool so we can send you text messages with immediate legislative updates and prompts to engage through the Request to Speak (RTS) system.
We can make our collective voice heard by staying informed, sharing information, and taking action when it matters most. Join us in shaping the legislative landscape and driving meaningful change this session. | |
Request to Speak (RTS)
RTS is a real-time online system that enables Arizonans to express support or opposition to a legislative bill scheduled for a committee hearing. Share your opinions directly with legislators without traveling to the state Capitol.  You can take the following actions:
Indicate “for” or “against” a bill
Write a comment explaining your position (optional but could be persuasive)
Sign up to speak in person if you wish
RTS Training: Dec 18, 2024, 12 - 1:30 pm
Please register in advance at the LWV of Arizona Website - www.lwvaz.org. RTS training is open for members and non-members.
Obtaining an RTS account
You do not have to be a registered AZ voter to use RTS. However, you need to log in to access RTS. If you sign up online, you will not be able to register your opinion on bills. Your login must be activated at the Capitol. If you wish to activate your current account with a new password, or have a new account created for you, please complete this Google Form.
We are looking for volunteers to go to the Capitol during business hours and register members (and others). There are kiosks in the House and Senate. It’s an easy process and an invaluable service for those who can’t get to the Capitol. Instructions and training will be provided. Please email lwvazadvocacy@gmail.com to learn more and volunteer. | |
Advocacy Priorities and Issue Teams
The state board approved the following state advocacy priorities for 2025. Members will receive an “Issue Team Volunteers” form shortly. Please sign up to help. We cannot do this work without you.
Top Priorities:
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Voting Rights / Election Security
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Women’s Rights
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Education
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Climate (Water)
Additional Priorities (as resources permit):
5. Ranked Choice Voting
6. Healthcare
7. Gun Safety
8. Immigration
9. Criminal Justice Reform
Our advocacy efforts are organized around issue teams that are aligned with our priority areas. Each team works collaboratively, ensuring that no prior experience is necessary. We offer training, mentoring, clear guidance, and written instructions to help you maximize your skills and passions.
Whether you’re an experienced policy expert, someone with a strong interest in public issues, or simply eager to learn, you are welcome and encouraged to join. You can successfully transform your unique contributions into meaningful advocacy actions with the right tools and support. Please email lwvazadvocacy@gmail.com to learn more and find your niche.
Legislative Analysis Training
Legislative Analysis (LAT) Dec 15, 2024, 2 PM - 4 PM
Please Register in Advance at the LWV of Arizona Website - www.lwvaz.org. |  | |
VOTE411 Wrap-Up for 2024
Kudos to all our league members who contributed to and promoted VOTE411. It was a truly collaborative effort by dedicated members. Here is a big-picture overview of our actions and impact.
VOTE411 IN ARIZONA
Races & candidates (general)
State Ballot Measures (general)
Site Traffic (primaries and general total)
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149,209 total users [sessions] = 71% increase over 2022
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132,462 new users [unique users] = 61% increase over 2022
We mounted a robust diversified, targeted, and geographically broad media campaign, including ads on TV, print and digital media, and radio spots. | LWV METRO PHOENIX BOARD OF DIRECTORS | LWV Metro Phoenix Board of Directors
Officers
President: Marcia Barry
President Elect: Kara Pelletier
Secretary: Gretchen Bolerjack
Treasurer, Finance and Development Committee Chair: Barbara Cricket Mitchell
Board of Directors
Advocacy Committee Chair: Mark Giles
Communications Committee Chair: Connie Cornelius
Forums Committee Chair: Cindy Walsh
League Representative to State Board: Gitelle Seer
Membership Committee Chair: Alexis Lane
Nominations Committee Chair: Jean Conway
Voter Services Chair: Gretchen Bolerjack
Contact us at InfoLWVMP@gmail.com | | I hope you have enjoyed reading this issue of Members Matter! Feel free to share your feedback, ask questions, or request additional information about the League. You may email me infoLWVMP@gmail.com
In League Service,
Marcia Barry, LWVMP President | | | |
LWV Metro Phoenix, 3219 E Camelback Road, #187, Phoenix, AZ 86018 | 858.220.0655
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